Uncertainty Looms Over Kyoto Protocol Recommitment Talks (ContributorNetwork)

According to CBC News, several days into the Kyoto Protocol talks in Durban, South Africa, and there is still a large amount uncertainty over countries the renewing the commitments to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. A top UN climate official expressed confidence that the countries would recommit to the international treaty but other experts, including a member of Canada's original delegation, has expressed doubt.

With the meetings set to wrap up on Dec. 9, here are some facts about the stances of some of the largest players and emitters at the Durban talks:

Canada

Heading into the talks on Nov. 28, Canada had expressed possible withdrawal from the extension on the agreements and is still holding that position, according to the Atlantic Wire. Adding to the problem is the fact that Canada's carbon emissions have increased sharply and the country has the third-biggest oil reserves in the world. Bloomberg added that a major incentive is that the country may save up to $6.7 billion by withdrawing completely. Similarly, AFP noted that a Canadian pull out could dramatically hurt the climate talks by setting the stage for other big emitters to not comply either.

China

The Montreal Gazette reported China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and initially refused to adopt new targets, arguing that it wanted to see other big emitters act first and commit to the treaty. However, China has relaxed its opposition, noted Bloomberg, and a leading member of the country's delegation stated that China may be willing to accept a carbon emissions target after 2020. An article from Worldwatch Institute added that China has continued to call on the U.S. to join Kyoto. China was not included in the original 1997 agreement since it was considered a developing country then.

European Union

The EU is willing to recommit to a second round of the protocol but EU climate leaders have said that unless major emitters like Japan, Russia, and Canada signed on, the deal would be practically meaningless, according to Times Live. The EU has taken on a leadership role at the conference and offered terms, reported China Daily, for an extension such that it would only extend targets as long as there is a timetable for including both China and the U.S. after 2020.

United States

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. never ratified the Kyoto Treaty citing China's exemption as the reason why. Before the Durban talks began the U.S. predicted that it didn't expect any type of binding agreement to come out of the talks. Additionally the U.S. stated that it plans to adhere to the pledge it made in Copenhagen in 2009 to reduce its emissions. The U.S. is the second largest emitter.

Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/environment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111203/pl_ac/10591731_uncertainty_looms_over_kyoto_protocol_recommitment_talks

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